“I WANT TO MAKE WORLD CAPITAL OF CINEMA” declared the late doyen Ramoji Rao, who passed away at the age of 87. In a 2002 media interaction in Hyderabad film City, he shared his ambitious vision for Ramoji Rao Film City. The visit, organized by Sri Subba Naidu, highlighted Rao’s achievements as a business tycoon, media baron, film producer, and eloquent advocate for farmers.
“I want to make my Film City in Hyderabad the ‘World Capital of Cinema,’” announced the multifaceted and witty media baron Dr. Ramoji Rao during a media briefing. He further revealed plans to produce six English films annually through Usha Kiron Movies.
On October 4th, 2002, media representatives from Karnataka gathered at the conference hall next to Tara Hotel to meet the trailblazing Ramoji Rao.
“I started with a salary of Rs. 250 in an advertising company in New Delhi. Over four decades, I worked hard and expanded my business. Perhaps only hard work has brought me to this level. I do not believe in being second.”
“There is no end to creativity or perfection. Believing that a one-stop arrangement would be beneficial, I have implemented it here in Film City. This is the first of its kind in the world. Besides attracting the film, television, and advertising industries, it is also drawing Hollywood attention,” he stated with a smile. “There is one more addition to Film City – Symphony – a sound recording facility meeting world standards. The dream of Ramoji Rao, realized on 1000 acres with an investment of Rs. 1000 crores, remains unmatched to this day.”
The legend succumbed to age-related issues on Saturday, June 8, 2024. He had been admitted to the hospital a few days prior, but his final moments came at 4:50 am on Saturday. Ramoji Rao’s body will lie in state at Ramoji Rao Film City for public respects.
In 1969, Ramoji Rao launched the ‘Annadhaata’ newspaper, dedicated to the nation’s farmers, introducing the latest technology to support the backbone of the country.
In 1974, he entered the media field, establishing the ‘Eenadu’ Telugu newspaper. The network of news channels he founded (13 so far), flourished under the ETV brand. In the 1980s, Ramoji Rao ventured into cinema. Despite his influence and power, he never entered politics.
Ramoji Rao set trends in the cinema field with Usha Kiron Movies. The production of the first Kannada film ‘Chitra’ within three months and on a budget of Rs. 60 lakhs was a tremendous success, though others did not follow suit.
Usha Kiron Movies produced notable Kannada films such as Chitra, Cheluve Ondu Helthini, Manase O Manase, Ninagaari, Anand, Oo La La, Sixer, and Savaari, all achieving good results.
Popular artists like Prasad, Anirudh Jathakar, Rekha Vedavyas, Chaya Singh, and Hemanth Hegde, as well as directors like Shashank, made their debuts with Usha Kiran Movies.
